The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-09-07
An Erglish Theatre Barnsd With Over .
Hundred Of the Audiences.
A Fearful Panic and Jam Prevents the Safe
Exit Of Many Of Those Present.
Everything Possible Done to Keep Flames
[Frcm the Frightened People.
Firemen Make Quick Response-Speeial
Exits Opened-RecOvering Burned
Remains-A Horrible Sight.

LONDON, September 5.-A theatre took
fire this evening at Exeter during a per-
formance of Romany Rye. The occupants
of the pit, after struggle, escaped, but
many were greatly injured. There was
only one exit from the gallery, and the
crush there was terrific. Scores were
tIodden under foot and suffocated. A fire
escape was brought to a window, and
many inside were rescued. Sixty corpses
have been removed, The injured survi-
vors were sent to a hospital. The NOR
tality is estimated at one hundred. The
fire blazed fiercely, lighting mp the whole
city. People were soon hocking to the
scene by the thousands inquiring for
friends.
The scene inside the theatre when the
fire broke out was an awful one. Some
men implored the audience to be cool, but
it was impossible to check the frantic
rush. The theatre hose was brought into
use in few minutes but the water had
but little effect on the flames. The actors
and actresses were taken from the windows
with the aid of ladders. They lost every.
thing except what they wore at the time.
Up to. the present time $50 bodies have
been recovered. They are almost un-
recognizable. Thirty injured survivors
have been taken to hospitals. The fire
burned throughout the night. The search
for bodies proceeds slowly. In many
cases every shred of clothing is burned off
and the bodies look black and raw, There
are various reports as to the origin Of the
fire.
The flames broke out IN the scene shift
ers depertment. Those who escaped say
that the special exit was prominently
opened. The fire brigade arrived five
minutes after the breaking out Of the
flames, but the efforts of the fremen were
without effect. There were several thrilling
rescues. The majority of the victims were
men and boys. About thirty women were
burned.
When the fire started the drop scene
was lowered to prevent q draught. Some
of the actors opened a door to escape,
causing the fire to burst through the drop
scene and to ignite the gallery. The flames
overlook the people who were wedged in
an immovable mass and roasted them to
death. Many who were rescued alive died
soon after being brought out OF the burn
ing building. The occupants of the dress
circle escaped without serious harm.
A telegram from Exeter at o'clock this
morning says that the fire is under con-
troll. Only the walls of the structure are
standing. People distracted with anxiety
are wandering about the streets in the
neighborhood OF the theatre In search of
friends who attended last nights perform
ance. The hospitals are besieged by anx-
ious inquirers for friends. Twenty badly
burned persons who were admitted to hos
pitfalls died a few minutes af.er their arri-
val.
The structure burned was the Theatre
Roysl. 1t was built after the latest de.
signs and was elaborately fitted, being one
of the prettiest in the kingdom. There
was full house tonight and everything
was all right until the end Of the third
act, at half past 10 when a drop scene fell
and in a moment the stage was a mass of
fire. A wild panic ensued. The occu-
pants of the stalls, pit and dress circles,
being badly bruised. The actors and
actresses were in their dressing rooms
when the FIRE began, and all escaped.